A native of Eatonville, Florida, Clinton-Dix was nicknamed "Ha Ha" as an infant by his grandmother in response to "Ha'Sean" often being pronounced /hɒˈʃɑːn/ (like "Shaun") instead of the intended /hɒˈsiːn/ (like "seen").[1] He prefers to go by "Ha Ha" and has stated that both he and his coaches love the moniker. In an interview, he explained that the true nickname is actually "HaHa" (no space, two capitals).[1][2]

On October 3, 2013, Clinton-Dix was suspended indefinitely for unspecified team rules violations, being reinstated after two games.[5][6] He was a consensus selection for the 2013 All-America Team.[7]

On December 2, 2013, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.[8] He finished his junior year with 51 tackles and 2 interceptions. As a junior in 2013, Clinton-Dix was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection.[9] He was named among the top 5 safeties by NFL Media analyst Charles Davis.[10]

After the season, he decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2014 NFL Draft.[11] Clinton-Dix returned to school in 2017 to complete his degree, interning at the Green Bay Police Department. He graduated in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.[12]

At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Clinton-Dix was projected to be a first or second round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the top safety prospect in the draft by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, was ranked as the top free safety by DraftScout.com, and was ranked the second best safety by Sports Illustrated.[17][18]

On May 29, 2014, the Green Bay Packers signed Clinton-Dix to a four-year, $8.33 million contract that includes $7.55 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.38 million.[23] He was issued No. 21 by the Green Bay Packers, which was last worn by Charles Woodson.[24]

Clinton-Dix in 2014

Throughout training camp, Clinton-Dix competed against Micah Hyde for the job as the starting free safety. The free safety role was left vacant after the Packers chose not to re-sign M. D. Jennings.[25][26] Head coach Mike McCarthy named Clinton-Dix the backup free safety, behind Micah Hyde, to begin the regular season.[27]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Green Bay Packers' season-opener at the Seattle Seahawks and recorded five combined tackles, broke up a pass, and made his first career sack in their 26–16 loss.[28] Clinton-Dix made his first career sack on Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson in the first quarter.[29] On September 21, 2014, Clinton-Dix made one tackle, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception during a 19–7 loss at the Detroit Lions.[30] He made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford, that was intended for wide receiver Corey Fuller, and returned it for a nine-yard gain in the first quarter.[31] On October 19, 2014, Clinton-Dix earned his first career start at free safety after defensive coordinator Dom Capers elected to start him over Micah Hyde.[32] Clinton-Dix recorded nine combined tackles during a 38–17 victory against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. Clinton-Dix remained the starting free safety, alongside strong safety Morgan Burnett, for the last ten games and the regular season.[33][34] In Week 15, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (six solo) in the Packers' 21–13 loss at the Buffalo Bills. He finished his rookie season in 2014 with 92 combined tackles (65 solo), six pass deflections, one interception, and one sack in 16 games and ten starts.[35]

The Green Bay Packers finished first in the NFC North with a 12–4 record and earned a first round bye. On January 11, 2015, Clinton-Dix started in his first career playoff game and recorded six combined tackles as the Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 26–21 in the NFC Divisional Round. On January 18, 2015, Clinton-Dix made five combined tackles, deflected three passes, and intercepted two passes by Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson during the Packers' 28–22 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.[36]

Clinton-Dix entered training camp slated as the starting free safety and was named the starter to begin the regular season. On November 15, 2015, Clinton-Dix collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo), broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass by quarterback Matthew Stafford during the Packers' 16–18 loss at the Detroit Lions, which marked their first loss to the Lions at home since 1991.[37] Clinton-Dix started in all 16 games in 2015 and led the team with 100 combined tackles (83 solo) while also recording three pass deflections, three sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.[35]

The Green Bay Packers finished second in the NFC North with a 10–6 record and earned a wildcard berth. On January 16, 2016, Clinton-Dix made four combined tackles, broke up two passes, and intercepted a pass attempt by Cardinals' quarterback Carson Palmer during the Packers' 26–20 overtime loss at the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Divisional Round.[38]

Head coach Mike McCarthy retained Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett as the starting safety tandem for a second consecutive season. On November 6, 2016, Clinton-Dix made three combined tackles, deflected two passes, made two interceptions, and was credited with half a sack during a 31–26 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.[39] His two interceptions off of passes by quarterback Andrew Luck marked his first career regular season game with multiple interceptions. In Week 15, he recorded five combined tackles, broke up two passes, and made two interceptions off pass attempts by Bears' quarterback Matt Barkley during a 30–27 win at the Chicago Bears. His performance against the Bears in Week 15 earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[40] On December 20, 2016, it was announced that Clinton-Dix was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.[41][42] He was also named to the Second-Team NFL AP All-Pro team for the first time in his career.[43] Clinton-Dix started in all 16 games in 2016 and recorded 80 combined tackles (62 solo), seven pass deflections, a career-high five interceptions, and was credited with half a sack.[35] He received an overall grade of 83.5 from Pro Football Focus, which was the 13th highest grade among all qualified safteies in 2016.[44] He was ranked 77th by fellow NFL players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[45]

The Green Bay Packers finished atop of their division with a 10–6 record, clinching a playoff berth. They defeated the New York Giants 38–13 in the NFC Wildcard Game and defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34–31 in the NFC Divisional Round. On January 22, 2017, Clinton-Dix started in the NFC Championship Game and recorded five solo tackles and two pass deflections as the Packers lost 44–21 at the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.[46]

On May 1, 2017, the Green Bay Packers exercised a fifth-year, $5.59 million option.[47] Head coach Mike McCarthy retained Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett the starting safety tandem.[48] On September 28, 2017, he collected a season-high eight solo tackles, a pass deflection, and made an interception during a 35–14 victory against the Chicago Bears in Week 4. In Week 13, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 26–20 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started in all 16 games in 2017 and recorded 79 combined tackles (65 solo), six pass deflections, and three interceptions.[35] Clinton-Dix received an overall grade of 79.1 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked as the 40th highest grade among all qualifying safeties in 2017.[49]

On January 1, 2018, the Packers announced their decision to fire defensive coordinator Dom Capers.[50] Head coach Mike McCarthy retained Clinton-Dix as the starting free safety to begin the season. On September 30, 2018, Clinton-Dix recorded three solo tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass by Bills' quarterback Josh Allen during a 22–0 win against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. It was his third consecutive game with an interception.[51]